128 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. _ 
by these names are generally known, but in many cases 
the alleged common name is decidedly uncommon, fre- 
quently duplicated, known only to a limited circle in a 
circumscribed area, and generally misleading. The ‘‘Na- 
tive Rose’’ is quite as well known under its botanical 
name Boronia, the scientific name of the exotie Bouvardia 
does not appear to be a stumbling block, and even the 
Japanese national flower Chrysanthemum is known by its 
somewhat lengthy botanical title, though a name a little 
longer, but otherwise very similar, Mesembryanthemum, 
is baulked at, and the ridiculously inappropriate name of 
‘“Pigs-face’’ substituted. While admitting that some of 
the common names at present in use cannot be dispensed 
with offhand, as for many people they are the only guide 
to the plants represented, I contend that young Australians 
should be taught to know their flora and fauna by the 
only nomenclature which acknowledges neither racial nor a 
geographical boundaries. 
NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
Hvcanyprus iy Hurops—tIn a recently published 
work, entitled “‘Old Calabria,’ Mr.. Norman Douglas in- 
dulges in some rather amusing diatribes on the Eucalyp- 
tus in Europe. He states that the introduction of this 
tree has disfigured the whole Mediterranean basin. He 
speaks of it as an “‘eye-sore,’’ a ‘‘erey-headed scarecrow,’ 
a “reptile of a plant,’’ whose ‘‘horrible metallic rustling 
chills one to the marrow’’ like ‘‘the sibillant chattering of — 
ghosts.’’ He asserts that it has proved worse than wUse--- 
less as a guard against malaria, as its “scragey foliage’” 
fosters the disease by harbouring clouds of mosquitoes. He 
thinks the oil has no+value, and is only considered medi- 
cinal because it is nasty —(Chemist and Druggist.) 
ee ee bes Ly, 
THE LATE DR«T. §. HAL. i, 
It is with great regret that we note the death\of Dr las 
S. Hall, of Melbourne University. Dr. Hall was=well 
known in connection with the Australian Association for 
the Advancement of Science, as Secretary and Editor of 
the Proceedings of the Victorian Meetings, and acted as 
Zoological Secretary on the occasion of the visit of the 
British Association. A highly appreciative account of Dr. 
Mall’s life and work, written by his colleague, Professor 
Baldwin Spencer, appears in the January number of the 
Victorian Naturalist, every word of which we heartily 
endorse.—Hd. 
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